ONLINE ETIQUETTE

Most people are familiar with the term etiquette and what it carries. From a young age, we
are taught to behave properly and have good manners. Now, with many parts of our lives
moving online, including even education, a need has arisen for a set of specific online
etiquette guidelines that apply to cyber behaviour. More and more classes are being held
online nowadays, so it is important for participants to have an understanding of the rules of
online etiquette. These rules help to keep discussions focused, on track, and respectful. As an
online facilitator, communication is a bit different than in a face-to-face setting. The
difference is that most communication is via written text in an online environment, although
video conferencing is equally important. This means you are missing body language cues and
immediate feedback from your “listener,” it is very important to understand some common
rules for good online etiquette. This ensures that the message you intend to convey is
received correctly.

1. Be Careful With Your Tone

While an online conversation with friends doesn’t necessarily require much thought, the same
doesn’t go for when you are having a conversation with professors. You should be careful
with capitalization, as writing in ALL-CAPS can oftentimes be interpreted as YELLING! and
will be viewed as impolite. Similarly, a joke can oftentimes be perceived as a rude remark.
This is why you have to make sure that your point doesn’t get lost in translation. Apart from
texting, it is also advisable to be aware of your tone in online classes that use audio or video
forms. However, this is where the rules of general etiquette apply more. For example, do not
talk over someone, listen carefully and actively participate in class.

2. Be Accurate and Factual

The internet is a vast place with information coming from all sorts of sources. This is why
you should be careful when providing information. It’s important to fact-check everything
you read and possibly include sources when giving advice or information. You should be
cautious about what you choose to believe on the internet and what you share with others. For
instance, if you’re unsure how to go about it, stick to official sites that are known for
credibility.
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3. Search First, Then Ask

If you get stuck with a question on a certain assignment, it’s better to search for it before you
ask your colleagues. It’s possible that you might find your answer fast, and there will be no
need to include third parties. You may find your answers in the syllabus or the university
website.
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4. Be Careful with Humour and Sarcasm

While in person, we communicate with the help of facial expressions and gestures.
Conveying the same message online can prove more challenging. This is especially true when
it comes to sarcastic humour, as it usually isn’t possible to transmit the tone of voice when
using text. A light-hearted joke can be viewed differently in the text. You will need to be
careful about making the intent behind your words as clear as possible, which is why sarcasm
is off-limits most times. But many people love jokes, so just make sure that it is clear that you
are being funny, and not rude. Emoticons and smileys can be helpful when conveying
sarcasm or humour.

5. Be as Polite as You Are In Person

Being polite on the internet should be as common as in real life. Unfortunately, that is not the
case in many situations. A significant number of people tend to use the internet as a cover and
their display as a shield, which leads to them writing what they would never say in public. A
key part of netiquette is only typing what you would be comfortable with saying to
someone’s face. Hence being respectful and polite to others should be part of your
communications online. And remember, If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it
online either.

6. Use Proper Grammar and Punctuation

Many people tend to forget the rules that apply to writing when communicating online.
However, resorting to proper grammar and punctuation can make the message seem more
professional and thought out. Not only does it make your text more readable, but it can also
prepare you for professional writing that you might do in the future. Filling the conversation
with unnecessary information can lose precious time, and make it hard for someone to
understand what the discussion is really about. Think about what you would like to read
yourself. It should be easy to read and comprehensible. That way, you will save precious time
for someone reading your email, message, comment, or post

7. Stay on Topic

When there is a discussion happening, it’s crucial that everyone stays on topic. It’s easy to
stray off the initial conversation, especially when there are many people participating in it.
So, make sure that you understand what the discussion is about and only reply with things
relevant to it. This can prove helpful to both you and the others.
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8. Remember That Nothing Is Private Online

Online privacy is something you should keep in mind when typing anything. Most things you
post and share are probably going to be there for a long time. This means that you should stay
away from anything considered inappropriate and rude. And never forward personal emails
or photos without the permission of those involved in the communication. Be careful when
sharing information, and never share anything about a student or a professor without their
consent. Remember that we live in a day and age where many things take place online, and
building an online presence is just as important as the real-life one. That being said, there is
no ‘real privacy’ on the internet, and you should handle what you share wisely.

9. Make Clear and Brief Points

Unlike face-to-face interactions, taking too long to get to a point can result in the message
getting lost in the text. Hence it is best to use short and clear sentences when trying to explain
something. It gets the point across more effectively and leaves less room for
misunderstandings. Don’t let your point get lost in translation by typing too many
unnecessary words. However, make sure that all the information you want to present is still
there.

10. Respect People’s Privacy

Treat others’ privacy the same way you would want some to handle your private information.
You shouldn’t give the personal information of your classmates and professors online to
anyone. This means being careful with passwords, whereabouts, private conversations, and
pictures. The same goes for both your and others’ information, as it can be dangerous to
distribute any of it without caution.
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11. Use Proper Titles

Many people tend to forget using the proper title once classes are online. As a result, a certain
amount of formality is a vital part of netiquette guidelines for students. You should act the
same as you would in a traditional classroom.

14. Submit Assignments Carefully

Being mindful of how to submit online assignments to teachers should be something every
student knows how to do. Since there is no face-to-face interaction, if you fail to put your
name on it or mess up the subject line, your assignment can easily be lost in a pile of emails.
Another thing to be careful with when submitting assignments online is attachments. You
shouldn’t attach files for which you are not sure if the other person will be able to open.
Additionally, you should follow specific instructions your professor gives about assignments.